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The Dreamers Trailer

Monday, August 11, 2014

August 9th, 2011 was the day I self-published my first book, "The Dreamers: A Story of Sam Kullen." I was thirteen years old. The moment I clicked that "publish" button that afternoon, my life changed forever. And now it's been three years.

I'm sixteen now, (and I mean, that's not the only difference between now and then, haha) and I have since published two other books. It's been such an incredible journey since the push of that button.

A number of thousands of copies of "The Dreamers" and my other books occupy eReaders and bookshelves all around the world--just this last week spreading to countries like Israel and Brazil. It's difficult for me to fathom how incredible that is. The fact that something I wrote has made its way into such diverse corners of the globe as these is mind-blowing. To think that the words I've so often worked over now appear and change peoples' lives around the world is such a special feeling.

I've had so many special experiences. Whether its meeting kids in book signings, reading positive reviews, teaching about what I do, or networking with some of my favorite authors of all time, each experience has inspired me. Inspired me to do better, to be an influence for good, and to simply keep doing what I'm doing.

My life will never be the same, and I'm glad. Thank you for making these past three years some of the best of my life. Thanks for making me feel like a rockstar, and for reading my books, and sharing them with your friends. Here's to another three years. Let's see where they go.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

I regret to inform you all that, due to a new Amazon policy, I will no longer be able to supply my books through Amazon, as I am under 18. As such, I will be forced to comply by removing my books entirely from their kindle and paperback catalogs before April 5th. I will try to keep them up as long as I can, but they will likely be removed sooner than that. You can grab copies now, before they go away for another two years, at www.amazon.com/author/oliverdahl.

I hope to keep writing and producing books until I turn 18 and can legally publish them again. I hope you'll all still be there for me then.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The buttons have been pressed. "Approve." "Publish." Here we go. Round three of this incredible adventure is about to begin. Wow. Thank you.
— Oliver Dahl (@OliverWDahl) March 11, 2014

Sometimes I think the 140 character limit on tweets just isn't enough. Yet this tweet really encapsulates my feelings very well. Both books that I've previously published have brought something new and exciting into my life--really changing it for the better.

And I am SO PROUD of this book. At this point, I feel like "Lies" is my "Mona Lisa," my crowning achievement so far. I don't know that I anything else I have ever written can really compare. It's that good. (Or at least, I think so, anyway).

And TODAY, March 11, 2014, I am able to change my life even more by adding a third addition to my published repertoire. (Ooh, I like that word. Repertoire). And to have this addition be a work that I am as proud of as I am is already incredible. "Lies," this beautiful historical fiction novella about the Salem Witch Trials, means a lot to me.

Why March 11th? Well, on this date in 1692, Ann Putnam Jr. first showed symptoms of affliction by witchcraft. (source) Ann is the main character in "Lies," the entire story being told from her point of view. The real plot of the story historically began 322 years ago. 322 years ago today. These kinds of things blow my mind. What I wrote about actually happened. Sure, I bent and twisted things into fiction to fit the story, but the basic events actually happened! I love historical fiction for this reason.

322 years ago. That's strange, isn't it? 1692 seems like it took place longer than 322 years ago. 322 years is only four 80-year-old lifetimes ago. Giles Cory, a victim of the Salem Witch Trials, was over eighty years old when he was pressed to death. If the time span of his life happened just four more times, we'd be here again in 2014.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that history isn't too far away. It's fun and interesting to feel closer to it than we thought we were. "Lies," I would like to hope, is a great way of accomplishing that.

Summary:
Salem Massachusetts, 1692: Tituba curses two young girls, but Ann Putnam Jr. isn't one of them. In order to help save her friends, Ann develops a plan to accuse the remaining supposed witches of Salem. As the death count rises, each lie buries her deeper and deeper under a curse of her own doing. This tragic experience of guilt, abuse, power, and love gives a first-person view into the spine-chilling months where neighbor turned on neighbor at the word of a little girl.

Monday, February 24, 2014

March 11 is getting closer and closer, and with it, the release date of my 3rd book, "Lies." To help get the word around, I've put together an online "tour" of sorts full of awesome blogs that will review, interview, and feature the book all around the web. Each one will offer a little something different, so I highly suggest checking out each one and supporting every one of the bloggers helping out! You're in for a treat.

Anyway, I just thought I'd let you guys know so you can check out the few that have been posted already and also know when to check back again for new posts! If you're a blogger yourself, I still have room for a few more stops in March! If you'd like to join in, it's not too late! You can do so here - www.oliverdahl.com/lies

I'll try to update this list as quickly as I can. Bolded blog titles indicate the post is up, and ready to check out!
With that said and announced, I again invite all of you to check out these fine folks' blogs! Share their posts around. Leave some comments. Enjoy!

To learn more about "Lies," watch a trailer, get free chapters, hear what people think, and more, visit www.oliverdahl.com/lies. Thanks!Oliver Dahl